Brazilian Quilombolas Gain COP30 Climate Recognition

By Darius Spearman (africanelements)

Support African Elements at patreon.com/africanelements and hear recent news in a single playlist. Additionally, you can gain early access to ad-free video content.

Brazil’s quilombola communities, descendants of Africans who escaped enslavement, stand as a powerful symbol of enduring resistance against centuries of oppression. Their ongoing struggle for recognition, land rights, and cultural preservation recently reached a significant milestone at COP30 in Brazil (aeon.co). At this major international climate summit, quilombola voices advocating for climate solutions gained new international prominence (aeon.co). This remarkable achievement is built upon a rich history of autonomy and resilience, stretching back to the earliest days of slavery in Brazil (aeon.co).

The journey of quilombolas mirrors struggles across the African diaspora, where communities have consistently fought for freedom and self-determination against overwhelming odds. This recognition connects their historical fight for liberty and land with the contemporary global challenge of climate change, positioning them as essential partners in forging equitable and effective solutions (aeon.co). The struggle of these communities provides a crucial lens through which to understand the intertwined histories of Black resistance, environmental justice, and the fight for human rights in the Americas. Recognizing their contributions is a step toward acknowledging the profound and often overlooked role of people of African descent in shaping global environmental and social landscapes.

Roots of Resistance: Quilombo History

The history of quilombos is directly linked to the brutal Transatlantic Slave Trade, a system that forcibly transported millions of Africans across the Atlantic Ocean to the Americas, often referred to as “the New World” (wikipedia.org). This inhumane trade primarily occurred between the 16th and 19th centuries (wikipedia.org). This trade formed a crucial part of the global economy, driven by the demand for labor in European colonies to exploit resources and cultivate cash crops such as sugar, tobacco, and cotton (wikipedia.org). “The New World” is a historical term used to refer to the Western Hemisphere, specifically the Americas, after European exploration and colonization began in the late 15th century (wikipedia.org).

Brazil received approximately 5.5 million enslaved Africans between 1540 and the 1860s, nearly half of all enslaved Africans forcibly transported to the New World (aeon.co). Faced with inhumane conditions on plantations and in mines, many enslaved individuals resisted by escaping and forming independent settlements known as *quilombos* (aeon.co). In earlier colonial texts, these settlements were sometimes called *mocambos* (aeon.co). These communities, often established in remote and inaccessible areas, allowed formerly enslaved people to rebuild their social and cultural structures, rooted deeply in their African heritage (aeon.co). It is estimated that around 12.5 million Africans were forcibly embarked on slave ships, with approximately 10.7 million surviving the perilous journey known as the Middle Passage (wikipedia.org). Furthermore, enslaved Africans were subjected to horrific conditions and forced labor, contributing significantly to the economic development of European colonial powers in the Americas (wikipedia.org). The legacy of the Transatlantic Slave Trade profoundly impacted the demographics, cultures, and social structures of both Africa and the Americas, including the formation of African American communities (wikipedia.org).

The most iconic of these settlements was the *Quilombo dos Palmares*, founded around 1605 in what is now the state of Alagoas (aeon.co). Palmares grew into a formidable autonomous republic, thriving for nearly a century (aeon.co). By the 1690s, its population was estimated to be between 11,000 and 20,000 inhabitants, and some scholars suggest it reached up to 30,000, spread across multiple villages ((aeon.co), (thecollector.com)). Palmares had its own sophisticated systems of agriculture, fishing, hunting, and trade (aeon.co). The community successfully repelled numerous attacks from both Portuguese and Dutch colonial forces (aeon.co). Its leaders, such as Ganga Zumba and his nephew Zumbi dos Palmares, became enduring symbols of Black resistance in Brazil ((aeon.co), (thecollector.com)). Zumbi, born free in Palmares, refused to negotiate with the Portuguese when his uncle considered a peace treaty, leading to his assumption of leadership and continued defiance until Palmares’ eventual fall in 1694 and his death in 1695 (aeon.co).

Enduring Legacy: Quilombola Land Rights

Even after the abolition of slavery in Brazil in 1888, these communities persisted, evolving into “contemporary quilombos” where descendants of the original inhabitants maintain distinct ethnic identities, cultural traditions, and communal land structures (aeon.co). A century after abolition, a pivotal moment arrived with the promulgation of the 1988 Brazilian Constitution (aeon.co). This landmark document, for the first time, legally recognized the existence and rights of contemporary quilombos ((aeon.co), (texaslawreview.org)). Specifically, it guaranteed their right to collective territories under Article 68 (aeon.co). This constitutional provision acknowledged the historical injustice and aimed to provide legal title to the lands these communities had occupied for generations (aeon.co).

However, the implementation of these rights has been a protracted and challenging process (aeon.co). The first land title was only granted in 1995, seven years after the constitutional recognition (aeon.co). Bureaucratic delays, opposition from powerful landowning interests, and political unwillingness have significantly hampered the titling process (aeon.co). Former President Jair Bolsonaro, for instance, famously vowed not to title “another centimeter of land” to quilombolas and Indigenous communities (aeon.co). Without proper land titles, quilombola communities remain vulnerable to illegal land seizures, agribusiness expansion, mining, and infrastructural development (aeon.co). The term “adjudicate” means to make a formal judgment or decision about a disputed matter, typically in a legal context (wikipedia.org). When the Federal Supreme Court is said to adjudicate, it means the court will hear arguments, review evidence, and then issue a definitive ruling or judgment on a legal case or dispute presented before it (wikipedia.org). This process resolves legal conflicts and establishes legal precedents (wikipedia.org).

Despite these obstacles, quilombola communities have gained increasing visibility and legal recognition (aeon.co). The International Labour Organization’s Convention No. 169 (1989), ratified by Brazil, also safeguards the rights of indigenous and tribal peoples, including quilombolas, to their traditional lands ((aeon.co), (unesco.org)). ILO Convention 169 is the only legally binding international instrument open for ratification that deals exclusively with the rights of indigenous and tribal peoples (unesco.org). It emphasizes the rights of these peoples to maintain and develop their own cultures, institutions, and ways of life, recognizing their collective rights over lands and resources (unesco.org). The convention mandates that governments consult with indigenous and tribal peoples through appropriate procedures and in particular through their representative institutions whenever legislative or administrative measures that may affect them directly are contemplated (unesco.org). For land rights, it requires governments to take measures to ascertain the lands traditionally occupied by the peoples concerned and to guarantee effective protection of their rights of ownership and possession (unesco.org). In 2003, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva enacted Decree 4.88, establishing procedures for granting collective titles (aeon.co). This decree also faced constitutional challenges that took 15 years for the Federal Supreme Court to adjudicate ((aeon.co), (texaslawreview.org)). The Court ultimately upheld the decree in 2018 (aeon.co).

A People Counted: Quilombola Population

Recent data highlights both the significant presence and ongoing marginalization of quilombola communities (aeon.co). Brazil’s 2022 census, for the first time, officially counted the quilombola population, identifying over 1.3 million quilombola people spread across the country, in both rural and urban settings ((aeon.co), (uol.com.br), (cpisp.org.br)). This marked a crucial victory for a historically excluded population seeking official recognition (aeon.co). The majority of these individuals, 68.2%, reside in the North-East region of Brazil (aeon.co).

Despite constitutional guarantees, the pace of land titling remains extremely slow (aeon.co). As of July 2023, only 211 quilombola territories were titled throughout Brazil, with 62 of them being only partially titled (aeon.co). In 2024, it was estimated that if the current pace continues, it would take 2,708 years to title all 1,857 quilombos with open processes at the National Institute for Colonization and Agrarian Reform (INCRA) ((aeon.co), (cpisp.org.br)). INCRA stands for the National Institute for Colonization and Agrarian Reform (Instituto Nacional de Colonização e Reforma Agrária) (cpisp.org.br). This federal agency within the Brazilian government is responsible for implementing agrarian reform, managing public lands, and carrying out the regularization of territories for traditional communities, including quilombola communities (cpisp.org.br). Only a small fraction, 4.3%, of the total quilombola population lives on lands that have received a full land title (aeon.co).

Quilombola Population Distribution (2022)

Approximately one-third of the quilombola population lives in the Amazon, where they are described as “invisible guardians of biodiversity” (aeon.co). These communities often face similar threats to Indigenous populations (aeon.co). Their traditional ecological knowledge supports sustainable agriculture, forest preservation, and biodiversity conservation, offering a model of coexistence with nature (aeon.co). The effectiveness and pace of INCRA’s work directly impact the ability of quilombola communities to gain legal recognition and protection of their traditional lands against external threats (cpisp.org.br).

Global Stage: COP30 Recognition

The headline-making recognition at COP30 in Brazil signifies a critical advancement in the quilombola struggle (aeon.co). COP stands for Conference of the Parties, and it refers to the supreme decision-making body of a particular international convention, most notably the United Nations Climate Change Conferences ((wikipedia.org), (wikipedia.org)). These annual summits bring together leaders, experts, and stakeholders from around the world to negotiate and make decisions on global efforts to combat climate change (wikipedia.org). COP30 will be the 30th such conference (wikipedia.org). COP is the highest decision-making authority of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) (wikipedia.org). The primary goal of these conferences is to review the implementation of the Convention and any other legal instruments the COP adopts, as well as to take the necessary decisions to promote the effective implementation of the Convention, including institutional and administrative arrangements (wikipedia.org). COP meetings typically involve negotiating climate targets, reviewing national progress, and discussing financial and technological support for developing countries (wikipedia.org). COP30 is scheduled to take place in Belém, Brazil, in November 2025 ((wikipedia.org), (theguardian.com)). This location marks a significant opportunity for Brazil to showcase its environmental commitments and for Amazonian and traditional communities to voice their concerns (wikipedia.org).

After years of sustained pressure from quilombola communities and their advocates, language specifically mentioning people of African descent and their vital role in climate solutions has been incorporated into key UN climate documents (aeon.co). This is not merely symbolic; it is an acknowledgement of their historical and ongoing contributions to environmental preservation and their unique vulnerabilities to climate change (aeon.co). Recognition at COP30 for quilombola communities, while potentially starting as symbolic, can lead to several practical and tangible outcomes, amplifying their influence and securing resources (theguardian.com). This recognition can translate into increased international attention and support for their land rights and environmental struggles, potentially leading to specific actions, policies, and funding mechanisms (theguardian.com). Official recognition in UN climate documents and declarations can provide a stronger basis for advocating for their rights within national legal frameworks and increase pressure on the Brazilian government to expedite land titling processes (theguardian.com).

Quilombola Land Titling Progress in Brazil

For communities whose existence is deeply tied to their ancestral lands and traditional practices, this recognition provides a platform to advocate for climate policies that respect their rights, knowledge, and sustainable ways of life (aeon.co). It can also unlock access to international climate finance and funding opportunities specifically designed to support indigenous and traditional communities in their climate adaptation and mitigation efforts, directly benefiting quilombola communities (theguardian.com). Such recognition can lead to their inclusion in decision-making processes related to climate policies, ensuring that their traditional knowledge and perspectives are considered in national and international climate strategies (theguardian.com). Furthermore, it can strengthen their bargaining power against destructive development projects such as agribusiness and mining, by drawing international scrutiny and support to their resistance efforts (theguardian.com).

Quilombola communities face unique vulnerabilities to climate change largely due to their deep reliance on traditional practices, subsistence farming, and the natural resources of their ancestral lands, which are directly threatened by environmental shifts (culturalsurvival.org). Climate change impacts such as altered rainfall patterns, extreme weather events, and rising temperatures directly disrupt their livelihoods, food security, and access to essential resources (culturalsurvival.org). Changes in rainfall and temperature patterns directly affect traditional agriculture and fishing practices, which are central to quilombola food security and economic sustainability (culturalsurvival.org). Increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as droughts and floods, can destroy homes, infrastructure, and crops, leading to displacement and loss of traditional lands (culturalsurvival.org). Their close connection to specific territories means that environmental degradation and resource scarcity can also threaten their distinct cultural identities and social cohesion (culturalsurvival.org).

Cultural Resilience and Black Resistance Connections

Contemporary quilombos actively preserve a rich array of cultural practices and maintain distinct ethnic identities rooted in their African heritage and the experiences of resistance against slavery (aeon.co). These efforts often manifest in unique forms of music, dance, religious ceremonies, cuisine, and communal social structures that differentiate them from mainstream Brazilian society ((lonelyplanet.com), (wikipedia.org), (wikipedia.org), (wikipedia.org)). An example is the preservation of *Jongo*, an Afro-Brazilian dance and musical form that combines African drumming, singing, and movement (wikipedia.org). Jongo is often performed during religious festivals or communal gatherings, serving as a powerful expression of their heritage and a means of oral tradition (wikipedia.org).

Quilombola communities often maintain traditional spiritual beliefs and practices, such as Candomblé or Umbanda, which blend African traditions with Catholicism ((wikipedia.org), (wikipedia.org)). These serve as vital spaces for cultural expression and community bonding ((wikipedia.org), (wikipedia.org)). Additionally, they often retain unique forms of communal land tenure and governance structures, reflecting African communal living principles, which are crucial for their social organization and decision-making processes (lonelyplanet.com). Traditional crafts, culinary practices, and knowledge of medicinal plants passed down through generations also play a significant role in their cultural preservation efforts, reinforcing their distinct identity (lonelyplanet.com). The Portuguese spoken in many quilombos often contains archaic words and grammatical structures, as well as influences from African languages, demonstrating a linguistic aspect of their unique cultural heritage (lonelyplanet.com).

The quilombola struggle in Brazil shares significant historical and contemporary parallels with African American struggles for social justice, rooted in the legacy of the Transatlantic Slave Trade and systemic racism across the African diaspora (thecollector.com). Both movements involve the fight for self-determination, the preservation of cultural heritage, and the demand for land rights and reparations as a response to centuries of oppression (thecollector.com). Quilombos are analogous to “Maroon communities” in other parts of the Americas, including the United States, which were settlements founded by escaped enslaved people (thecollector.com). Both struggles emerged from the resistance to slavery and its enduring impacts, seeking freedom, dignity, and equality for Black populations (thecollector.com). The fight for land rights is central to both: quilombolas seek recognition and titling of their ancestral lands in Brazil, similar to how Black communities in the U.S. have historically fought for land ownership and protection against displacement, such as during the Reconstruction era and beyond (thecollector.com). Cultural preservation and the assertion of distinct Black identities are vital in both contexts, with communities striving to maintain traditions, languages, and spiritual practices in the face of assimilation pressures (thecollector.com). Both movements confront ongoing systemic racism, discrimination, and violence, advocating for political representation, economic justice, and an end to state-sanctioned abuses (thecollector.com).

Threats to Survival: Environmental Threats

Agribusiness expansion, mining, and large-scale infrastructural development projects pose severe and multifaceted threats to quilombola communities, directly impacting their livelihoods, health, and cultural survival ((therealnews.com), (icmagazine.org), (aquilombos.org)). These activities often lead to deforestation, water contamination, and forced displacement, making land titling essential for their protection ((therealnews.com), (icmagazine.org), (aquilombos.org)). Agribusiness expansion, particularly for monoculture crops such as soy and eucalyptus, often leads to large-scale deforestation and the encroachment on quilombola lands ((therealnews.com), (icmagazine.org)). This encroachment results in the loss of traditional forests, biodiversity, and resources crucial for subsistence ((therealnews.com), (icmagazine.org)). Mining operations contaminate water sources with heavy metals and toxic chemicals, affecting drinking water, fishing, and agriculture, leading to serious health issues for communities and degrading the environment they depend on (therealnews.com).

Infrastructural development, such as the construction of dams, roads, and power lines, can directly result in the forced displacement of communities ((therealnews.com), (icmagazine.org)). This development fragments their territories and disrupts their traditional ways of life without adequate consultation or compensation ((therealnews.com), (icmagazine.org)). The collective impact of these threats is the loss of traditional lands, which not only deprives quilombolas of their homes and livelihoods but also undermines their cultural identity, social organization, and ability to practice their unique way of life ((therealnews.com), (icmagazine.org), (aquilombos.org)). Land titling provides legal recognition and crucial protection against these external pressures (aquilombos.org). This recognition at COP30 represents a significant step forward, connecting the historical struggle of quilombolas for freedom and land with the urgent contemporary challenge of climate change, emphasizing their role as essential partners in forging equitable solutions (aeon.co).

Primary Threats to Quilombola Lands

About the Author

Darius Spearman is a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College, where he has been teaching for over 20 years. He is the founder of African Elements, a media platform dedicated to providing educational resources on the history and culture of the African diaspora. Through his work, Spearman aims to empower and educate by bringing historical context to contemporary issues affecting the Black community.